Published by Outright Games and developed by Casual Brothers, Hasbro Games Junior Collection brings three familiar board games to PlayStation 5 in versions specifically adapted for younger players. Monopoly Junior, Clue Jr. (Cluedo Jr.) and The Game of Life Jr. are all included, offering a digital alternative to traditional family game nights. With simplified rules, colorful presentation and support for up to four local players, the collection is clearly aimed at children and parents looking for something they can enjoy together. However, while the selection is appealing, the extent to which these adaptations retain the appeal of their original counterparts varies considerably.
Monopoly Junior is arguably the strongest inclusion, offering a streamlined version of the property-trading classic. The board is smaller, there are fewer properties to purchase, and familiar elements such as railway stations and jail have been removed or replaced with more child-friendly alternatives. Landing on an unowned property automatically means buying it, while being unable to afford another player’s rent can bring the game to an end. This makes for considerably shorter matches, although it also reduces the strategic element of traditional Monopoly, leaving much of the outcome to the luck of the dice and Chance cards. The decision to end the game as soon as someone goes bankrupt, rather than continuing until only one player remains financially solvent, also feels somewhat abrupt when playing with four.
One of the more unusual additions is a physical mini-game that takes place whenever someone rolls the dice. Players are transported into an inflatable arena where everyone can attempt to interfere with the active player’s roll by knocking the dice around. It is a playful addition that could generate plenty of laughter among younger participants, particularly when someone manages to turn a promising roll into a disappointing one. However, it can just as easily become frustrating, especially when players repeatedly interfere with each other’s turns. There is no option to disable this mechanic, which is a missed opportunity for families who would prefer a more traditional board-game experience.
The Game of Life Jr. takes an even more straightforward approach. Rather than following the familiar adult version’s journey through education, careers and family life, players travel around a colorful board visiting attractions and collecting stars. The first participant to accumulate ten stars wins. Special tickets and random event cards add a little unpredictability, with some rewards granting additional stars while others can take them away. The attractions themselves are mostly represented by simple interactions rather than elaborate activities, so there isn’t much to do beyond moving around the board and collecting rewards. The spinning wheel used to determine movement also introduces the same competitive interference mechanic found in Monopoly Junior. Interestingly, players can sometimes manipulate their own spins to guarantee a particular result, which somewhat undermines the randomness that should make the game interesting.
Clue Jr. (Cluedo Jr.) is the most noticeably different adaptation of the three. Instead of investigating a traditional murder mystery, children must solve a much more innocent mystery involving a science experiment gone wrong at school. Players explore different rooms, collect evidence and use a digital notebook to eliminate possible suspects, objects and locations until they have enough information to make an accusation. The notebook is particularly useful because it automatically keeps track of discovered clues, removing the need for younger players to manage everything themselves. In multiplayer, players also need to keep their findings hidden from one another, adding a little extra interaction when sharing the screen. Unfortunately, the investigative aspect can feel rather basic, and reaching the final accusation may still involve a considerable amount of guesswork. Making an incorrect accusation eliminates the player, which can be particularly frustrating after spending a lengthy match narrowing down the possibilities.
All three games are designed around accessibility rather than depth, and that philosophy is reflected in the presentation and controls. The colorful boards, friendly character designs and simple interfaces make it easy for younger players to understand what is happening without requiring much assistance from adults. The three-dimensional models used to represent purchased properties in Monopoly Junior are a nice touch, giving the board a little more personality, while the various attractions and locations help distinguish the individual games. Players also create a customizable avatar that appears throughout the collection, with additional outfits and accessories unlocked by earning experience through matches. It is a relatively modest progression system, but it provides a small incentive to keep playing. The controls are equally straightforward, with little more required than navigating menus, selecting options and rolling or spinning. This makes the collection accessible even to children with limited experience playing video games.
The biggest limitation is the amount of content and replay value on offer. While having three recognizable board games together provides a decent starting selection, each individual experience is relatively short and uncomplicated. Once players understand the rules and have worked their way through the different games, there isn’t a great deal of additional content to discover beyond the cosmetic rewards. The simplified mechanics also mean that adults who grew up playing the original board games may find themselves missing the strategic decisions and longer-term planning that made those experiences so engaging. That is not necessarily a problem for the intended audience, but it does mean that the collection is unlikely to become a regular gaming destination for everyone in the household or scale with them as they get older.
Hasbro Games Junior Collection succeeds in providing an accessible digital introduction to three recognizable board games, with colorful visuals, uncomplicated controls and local multiplayer for up to four players. The ability to play with fewer participants without having to fill every available seat with computer-controlled opponents is another welcome feature. However, the intrusive dice-interference mechanic, limited strategic depth and relatively modest replay incentives prevent the collection from becoming something particularly special. It is a pleasant option for younger children and families looking for a simple shared activity, but older players may quickly lose interest once the novelty wears off. A solid starting point for a family game night, then, although its appeal is likely to depend heavily on the age of the people sitting around the virtual table.
Score: 7.1/10